I haven't committed any mortal or venial sins that I can think of. Should I still go to Reconciliation?
Papers for your canonization are in the mail. Seriously, it's quite possible not to have "broken any rules" you learned in childhood. But is it possible that any of us live for a month—or even a day—without doing some sort of damage to ourselves, other people, or God's world? Approaching the sacrament and asking for help in discovering how to be a greater influence for good in your family, at work, in your parish or in your community might be just the thing to do.
How often should I go to Reconciliation?
You have to know yourself to answer this question. Certainly if you've been away from the practice of the faith like weekly Mass or have done some sort of great damage ("mortal," or
death-causing, sin), you should go immediately. You need to "clear the decks" before you can begin to return to spiritual growth and health. But for a regular practice I find it a good rule to choose a time period that's not so long that you forget what happened at the beginning of
it, nor so short that you don't get to see a decent slice of your behavior. We can also learn from the liturgical seasons of our Church, which are meant to teach us the path to spiritual health. Times of preparation—Advent and Lent—are excellent times to take stock of one's life. Again, a trustworthy confessor can guide you to a good decision.
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you make a very convincing point and you were also very convincing Saturday during our Reconciliation Celebration. I don't want to appear as a non-believer and as such regard confession/reconciliation unessessary because I really don't feel that way. It just like jumping in the cold ocean...you want to delay it as long as possible but once you are in it is wonderful and you wonder what took you so long. I just think that my reluctance is a product of my childhood( isn't that always the excuse). I can blame it on the old priests who shell shocked me in that dark little closet confessional. Any way. your words are making me think, as usual. And I can see that my attendence at reconciliation would be another step forward in my travels towards understanding...maybe. In the meantime I will try to stay close to God the best that i can. Remember that frank Sinatra song, "My Way".. it is a nice song but the words don't really apply to me.I am not going to read this before i send it because i might erase it.
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